Fentanyl vs methadone

Common Questions and Answers about Fentanyl vs methadone

actiq

I take the medication as prescribed but I now believe I am being prescribed too much.
My psychiatrist suggested going on methadone to help the taper from fentanyl. He said that since it has a longer half-life it is easier to taper from and that the methadone taper will create less withdrawals.
I don't know if I agree with my psychiatrist. Everything I have read about methadone says that it is the hardest opiate to come off of.

Pain Management Clinics also prescribe it.
There are many pain medications that work as well as Methadone. Fentanyl is one of them. It has 72 hr. pain relief. I would recommend that you be honest with your Doctor and tell him/her about the pain issue and see if they can't get you on the right track.
I have heard of Suboxon used in pain relief and have also heard that it is not very effective. It will help with the withdrawl.

I was switched over to 100mg fentanyl patch's like everything else this to was unable to control the pain. I had tried methadone several years earlier having very good results controlling the pain but my attitude was nasty. In April 2010 I asked my Dr. to once again prescribe the methadone. I began taking 15mg every eight hours my pain was steadily increasing I was begging VA doctors to perform surgery as had been suggested by several surgeons who specialized in this type of nerve problem.

I have suffered paraplegia from a motorbike accident 20yrs ago, instantly I suffered chronic pain, I was firstly treated with morphine but over the years the dosage became to high, the Pain Specialist then put me on Methadone, I am currently using 110ml/gms per day to control the pain.

Hello,
I began a Methadone Maintanence Program 9 days ago, with my 2nd dose coming today. During the interview stage with a counselor, I was told that caffeine would adversely affect the Methadone I was receiving. Is this true? And if so, is there some sort of chemical reaction or interference at the opiate receptors, or is she just generalizing about the effects of caffeine on patients in this type of program?
Thanx...

It's an old, cheap, and very effective long-acting pain medication. You really can't compare methadonevs. oxycodone on a mg-to-mg basis because methadone is a more potent medication. While any medication can be abused, the long-acting meds aren't as sought after by addicts as the short-acting meds like roxicodone. That's another plus that doctors consider when they offer opiate therapy.
Any time you change medications you can expect problems.

Hello All
I was wondering if anybody else out there has had any experiences of using fentanyl patches (especially uk durogesic and matrifen users that were previously on tilofyl or other brand gel based patches) that have had problems with withdrawal symptoms either from faulty patches, changeing to a different patch brand or changing over from oral morphine or other strong oral opioids like oxycodone, methadone, or dipipanone ? Which brand or type works best for you ?

i am on methadone maintenance for opiate addiction, if methadone is also an opiate blocker what prescription meds will give me relief from my pain? i mean, do i take higher doses of opiate to get relief from my pain or is there a certain pain med i need to take while on methadone to get relief from my pain? please HELP!!!!

sent me to a pain clinic at a local hospital. Now I am on Fentanyl patches, 125 mg patch every other day. I also take 4 roxycodones a day, usually all at once at the end of the day. One is like taking a certs. Actually taking 4 at once is not much better. I have been on this regimen for 19 months. Anyway about 4 months ago, the patches started not relieving the pain.

I was also on methadone and the anesthesiologist had to give me 400mics of Sublimaze (fentanyl) in my IV to override the methadone blockade. I was feeling absolutely wonderful for about an hour or so after the procedure. It did wear off quick. That is the exact reason why they use fentanyl in same day procedures....because of the rapid clearance.

My options, according to the NP at the pain clinic, are the Fentanyl Patch, oxycontin, MS Contin, or methadone. The one I'm most familiar with is the oxycontin. All of them make me nervous.
One of the things that has me fearful is what happens down the road if you need pain control for something more serious and you're already on so much medication; how do they deal with that? I'm sure people run into this often and they must have some way to deal with it.

I have been on 30 mlg of methadone for at least 8 years now. does anyone know if I stop will i go through withdrawls? i feel its a low does and im very scared. it does work for the pain and its cheep since i lost my health insurance. can someone please tell me anything? I hear its worse than getting off herion, but again im a only 30mlg a day but for 8 years.

Oxycodone stays in your system longer - however it has the same 'effect' duration as Hydrocodone.
I've always found Oxy to be stronger, but a bit more of a 'rough' (lack of a better description) high. Hydro took more pills, but the high was more euphoric for me -- peaceful but excited and full of energy - and can't stop talking.
In the end - Oxy will probably take longer to over come WD's. We're talking maybe 2-3 days, but that's a long time when you are feeling sick.

Do I need to wait the requisite 6 - 12 hours after last dose of Temegesic (Bup) before I apply the Duragagesic (fentanyl). In the past I had to do so when switching from vicodin to Temegesic. Or are the two compatablile?
Much Thanks.

I've been slowly tapering off of a 15 year Methadone maintainence program for about 2 years now. Roughly dropping 5 milligrams every month or so. About a month ago my dose was at 3 mgs. At that point I really didn't feel to bad during the day although the nights were horrible due not being able to sleep.
At that point I decided to just stop the meth all together, rather than prolonging the agony of dropping from 3 -2, then 2-1 etc.

If you had someone or some kind of medical facility dispensing a long-acting narc like oxycontin, ms-contin, or even methadone (I read all the time that this drug is actually quite good for pain but has the rep it has because of how it has traditionally been used up to now), you could have a good life without getting strung out.

I'm on 300 mcg of fentanyl for pancreatits. it doesn't completely take carw of the pain but worse off - it causes urinary retention. what dose, if any of the ER would help? my dr's suggested it, but now i'm fighting w/the ins. company. Any ideas?

I have been through so many surgeries just so that my feet would actually work so that I could walk again, however we can't seem to control the pain of the neuropathy, because we don't know how I got it. Anyway, I was on 50 mg of the Fentanyl Patch and taking 30 mg of Oxycodone every 4 hours since 2009. 2 weeks ago I was sent to a pain management doc and he switched me to subutex. I worked great for my addiction I don't want a Oxycodone, however the pain is still HORRIBLE......

Welcome and glad you are here!
I started taking 30mg Methadone/day 3 1/2 years ago following painful complications from a post-op infection and have developed tolerance to the point where I am in constant withdrawals. Am white - knuckling while waiting for acceptance to Mayo Clinic pain rehabilitation clinic.

Personally, I think for most people tolerance builds a little bit faster on short-acting medications because the medication peaks rather quickly (30-60 mins vs. 2 hours for ER meds) and stays at the peak level for a very short amount of time (30 mins vs.

I think there is a misconception out there that 50 mg of painkiller A is equivalent to 50 mg of painkiller B in terms of potency, half-life, withdrawal, etc. This is just not true. The quantity matters when making comparisons, as does the method of administration (oral vs injected vs snorted vs smoked). Just google "equianalgesic table" and you will see what I mean.

I didn't choose the suboxone route due to the long half life of the med vs the short half life of fentanyl hoping to get through this process quicker once I'm off. This is a long process, but worth it!

The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. Med Help International, Inc. is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. We disclaim all responsibility for the professional qualifications and licensing of, and services provided by, any physician or other health providers posting on or otherwise referred to on this Site and/or any Third Party Site. Never disregard the medical advice of your physician or health professional, or delay in seeking such advice, because of something you read on this Site. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. By using this Site you agree to the following Terms and Conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately.